Girls’ Night Out

Maya Okamoto didn’t do everything for the Flintridge Prep girls’ basketball team, but came pretty close.

In her role as floor leader, Okamoto was able to get other players involved, but also scored a game-high 18 points in the Rebels’ 44-29 rout of Holy Family during last Thursday’s 15th Annual Pioneer Shootout at Providence High in Burbank.

Additionally, Okamoto, a sophomore guard who had 10 points in the opening half, added eight steals with five assists for the Rebels (4-6) in the 15th place game.

The tourney wasn’t all gravy for Flintridge Prep, which suffered losses to Immaculate Heart, Pilibos and Mayfield.

Holy Family (0-11) hasn’t found any success this season, and was blanked for nearly nine minutes in the opening half as the Gaels fell behind 26-12 after 16 minutes.

Okamoto’s best effort was a 21-point outburst against Ramona Convent earlier this month, but her showing against Holy Family was a better all-around effort.

Holy Family’s Jennifer Rodriguez tied it at 10-10 late in the first quarter, but Okamoto and Kimberly Kim each canned three-pointers that gave Prep a six-point lead, and spear-headed a 16-0 spurt.

The Gaels advanced to within 31-21 when Mary Alvarado made a hoop and 4:25 showing in the third quarter.

Flintridge Prep wasn’t so fortunate when it faced Mayfield, which like the Rebels are in the Prep League, dropping a 36-30 decision on Wednesday in a consolation match of the same tourney.

Erika Lin had the hot shooting hand for the Cubs (5-4), especially in the fourth quarter when she tallied nine points.

On one play, Lin was fouled as she converted a three-pointer. When Lin made the charity toss, Mayfield pulled ahead by eight points with just under seven minutes left in the final quarter.

The Rebels were led by Tyler Faulkner with eight points, while teammate Kinsey Thompson added six.

Prep had a shot from about mid-court against Pilibos, but it failed to materialize as the Rebels were beaten 37-36 on Tuesday in the Pioneer Shootout.

The game-winning attempt was drained by Gareen Mehserdjian, who finished with a game-high 17 points. She also grabbed 11 rebounds for the Eagles (4-2).

When Thompson scored with just over one minute left, Prep went in front, 36-35, but there was more than enough time for Mehserdjian’s heroics.

About

The Tolucan Times is a free weekly community newspaper, published since 1937 and available online. With over 600 drop locations throughout the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys from Encino to Pasadena, The Tolucan Times serves the communities of Glendale, Flintridge La Canada, Burbank, North Hollywood, Toluca Lake, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, and Van Nuys, to list a few.